Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Santa Cruz
Photo by MF Shearer
Photo by MF Shearer
Photo by Trevor Cleveland
Photo by Trevor Cleveland

Popular places to visit

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Enjoy the exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot

Find out about the history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf

Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Wharf
Natural Bridges State Park

Natural Bridges State Park

You can take time to visit Natural Bridges State Park during your travels to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
Ocean Street

Ocean Street

During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Ocean Street
Santa Cruz Main Beach

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Santa Cruz Main Beach during your trip to Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Activities

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

AU$129
per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

AU$198
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

AU$213
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Bay Area Rock Climbing

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

AU$181
per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics

Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

AU$181
per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
Bixby Bridge

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco

AU$1,407
per traveller
Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Pacific Blue Inn

Pacific Blue Inn

3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$253 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$253
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (864 reviews)
Great place in Santa Cruz
"Great stay for Wharf 2 Wharf. Right by the Boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz. Safe parking and the hotel is clean, quiet, and comfortable."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Pacific Blue Inn
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
550 2nd St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$356 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
AU$356
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,202 reviews)
"The breakfast was solid. The precheck in emails they send you are nonsense. They will still need you to do all of it when you check in so don't bother. They sent me an email saying the room was ready, I get there and it's not ready. I had to wait 40 minutes once I got there so the room could be cleaned. ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2 out of 5
301 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$178 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$178
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,100 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff. Great pool area. Perfect for the fam!"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Ocean Pacific Lodge
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$265 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$265
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"quick check in and great customer service"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

3.5 out of 5
7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos, CA
The price is AU$244 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$244
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,042 reviews)
"Did not appreciate housekeeping lady trying to get us to leave our room at 8:30Am on check out day. She couldn't speak English so we couldn't even tell her we weren't ready to leave yet!"

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$499 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
AU$499
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
Lovely Overnight Get Away
"Dream Inn has been perfect for our quick get aways. The location on the beach is awesome! Awesome service by the reservations staff and front desk. Parking fee is a bit steep though."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
See all 1,175 properties in Downtown Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz which includes general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(16 area reviews)

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

Westside Santa Cruz
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Beach Hill - Beach Flats

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats
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Mission Hill

While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Mission Hill
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Midtown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street.

Midtown
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Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Upper Seabright
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Seabright

While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

Seabright

Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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